After convincingly winning the 2024-2025 National First Division, Ninh Binh FC brought home a series of "blockbuster" contracts in the transfer market to prepare for V.League 2025-2026.
Although only a rookie in the highest level of Vietnamese football, the Ancient Capital team showed great ambition with a star-studded squad. The Duc Chien (moved from The Cong Viettel), Chau Ngoc Quang, Tran Bao Toan, Dung Quang Nho (Hoang Anh Gia Lai)... combined with the pillars Hoang Duc, Van Lam, Thanh Binh, Huu Tuan... form a collective with depth.
In addition, there are also changes in the coaching bench. After winning the promotion ticket, Ninh Binh parted ways with coach Nguyen Viet Thang to appoint new captain Gerard Albadajelo and his Spanish colleagues.
The bringing of a foreign coach is expected to bring a modern, scientific and European-style playing style to Ninh Binh - something that many clubs in the V.League are pursuing.
However, contrary to expectations, their journey to prepare for the new season is facing many difficulties. At the Thien Long Tournament 2025 - an annual tournament considered a measure of quality before the new season, Ninh Binh FC did not start smoothly.
In the opening match, despite being rated higher, this team only won a 2-2 draw against the Korean student team, a young team with less professional competition experience.
In the second match, when facing SHB Da Nang - a team that struggled to stay in the league last season, Ninh Binh FC lost 0-2 in a match in which they played under their control, both tactically and mentally.
After two friendly matches, coach Gerard Albadajelo's team has conceded 4 goals, while scoring only 2 goals.
This is an worrying number, especially compared to their impressive defensive record in the First Division last season, when Dang Van Lam only had to pick the ball out of the net 3 times in 20 matches.
The problem of integrating and connecting stars in the same team is always a big challenge for newly promoted clubs like Ninh Binh.
When the players have just arrived, do not have much time to work together, do not fully understand the coach's philosophy and do not find a common voice on the pitch, matches that are not as expected are understandable.
In addition, the change of coaching staff also poses a big tactical challenge. Mr. Gerard Albadajelo needs more time to convey ideas and build a playing style suitable for the players, who are used to the old way of operation under coach Viet Thang.
There is not much time left from now until the 2025-2026 V.League starts and if they do not quickly overcome the weaknesses in the organization of the playing style and the lack of harmony between the lines, the Ancient Capital team can completely face an unexpected start in the new season.
Fans are waiting for a brave Ninh Binh, united and competing in line with the expectations of a "new phenomenon", a team that dreams of conquering V.League with great ambitions.
